A stellar line up will do battle in a history making group one George Ryder Stakes at Rosehill this afternoon with two Japanese runners taking their place in the field for the first time.
The Japanese were prominent in Sydney last Autumn winning the G1 All Aged Stakes with Hana’s Goal however the quality of competitor this year has gone up a notch with World Ace and Real Impact engaged in the Ryder, Tosen Stardom in the Ranvet and To The World who runs in the BMW next week.
However that said Timeform ratings analysis points to a local victory for the talented three-year-old Shooting To Win appearing set to return to his 125 Timeform rating achieved winning the G1 Caulfield Guineas last spring.Shooting To Win has been improved by two runs since a spell, last start being forced into the unacceptable role of pacemaker in the G1 Randwick Guineas eventually finishing a close third to Hallowed Crown running to a Timeform rating just three pounds shy of his peak figure.
With those runs behind him, he is ready to bounce back to top form and should get the run of the race from his low draw.If successful this afternoon Shooting To Win will follow in the footsteps of Mouawad (1997) and Weekend Hussler (2008) who also won the George Ryder Stakes as three-year-olds after winning the Caulfield Guineas the previous spring.
In terms of Timeform ratings, Shooting To Win is at the right level to defeat the older horses as Weekend Hussler rated 127 and Mouawad 123 prior to their Ryder successes.Three-year-olds have an excellent overall record in the George Ryder Stakes. Since being run at weight for age in 1979 they have won 11 of the 36 renewals.
The pick of the Japanese runners on Timeform ratings is World Ace (123) just ahead of Real Impact (121).World Ace has excellent form over 1600m in Japan and while the 1500m might be a shade short of his best, the entire will certainly be on the fresh side.
World Ace has not raced since running fourth in the Hong Kong International Mile behind world champion miler Able Friend – a strong endorsement for his prospects here.To be ridden by Nick Hall, World Ace has a tendency to be slow away from the barriers, something he will not want to do this afternoon.
Real Impact comes into the race on the back of a last start win over 1400m in the G2 Hanshin Cup, a race he also won in 2013.Real Impact travels close to the speed and with James McDonald in the saddle is certain to give a bold sight.
Hooked and Kermadec are also closing in on best form and look the other main chances.
